SAVING AMERICA’S MUSTANGS
June 11th, 2010 at 9:40 am (Equine Adoption)
Saving America’s Mustangs
June 11, 2010
Madeleine Pickens
Dear Friends,
On Monday, June 14th, I will be attending the National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board Public Workshop in Denver, CO. The workshop will give a chance for the public to discuss Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar’s wild horse initiative, which he and the BLM Director, Bob Abbey announced last October.
The document in its entirety can be viewed here, Wild Horse and Burro Strategy Development Document.
Below I have written comments on each of the sections of their initiatives that I will be discussing in the public forum on Monday. For those of you who can not attend this public workshop, please take the time to read the excerpts from the wild horse initiative (in blue) and our comments regarding each section (in black).
- Madeleine Pickens
COMMENTS FROM SAVING AMERICA’S MUSTANGS ON THE BLM STRATEGIC POLICY DOCUMENT
5.1. Sustainable Herds (From BLM.gov)
A key element of the BLM’s vision is the need to balance annual herd growth rates with the number of horses or burros that can be successfully adopted each year. Over time, slowing population growth would lead to fewer animals requiring removal from the range, fewer animals in short-term corrals or long-term pastures, and decreased costs for their humane care. The BLM has the ability to manage for two key wild horse and burro population factors which influence the total number of wild horses and burros. The BLM can manage the size of the breeding population and the reproductive (growth) rate of the population. Fewer gathers to remove excess horses or burros would be needed if population growth rates can be reduced.
- Sustainable Herds
Saving America’s Mustangs tends to agree that the use of fertility control measures may play a role in regulating the number of horses on the range and in the wild. However, we also caution that too much can be read into this approach as a means to solve all the issues that we think need to be addressed to correct deficiencies in the program.
Under Objective 1, item 5, we would agree that establishing non-reproducing populations in Herd Areas or on other public lands has merit. (See our comments on “Preserves.”
Under Objective 2, we would agree that making additional forage available for wild horse and burro use is critical to establishing and maintaining preserves for wild horses and burros (see our comments in section on “Preserves.”
Under Objective 3, we tend to believe that the entire gather program needs to be reviewed and major changes made that incorporate better science in the overall process.
5.2. Preserves (From BLM.gov)
The BLM envisions the establishment of both federal and partner-owned preserves — places where the forage is rich — where unadopted wild horses can roam as freely as possible. The preserves could possibly be located in the productive grasslands and plains of America’s Midwest, where wild horses once flourished. Preserves are an important element in attaining a sustainable Wild Horse and Burro Program.
The BLM’s long-term goal is to eventually limit gathers to the number of horses (or burros) that can be adopted or sold. By matching the number of animals removed with the number that can be adopted in a given year, the need for preserves to humanely care for unadopted animals will be reduced over time.
Partnerships, including partner-owned preserves, are one way the BLM hopes to engage Americans in the protection and management of these iconic animals and reduce costs.
- Preserves
Saving America’s Mustangs has submitted a detailed plan to the Department of the Interior and the BLM that would establish the first wild horse ecotourism center in the United States. This proposal has many elements that address specific points in this section of the Strategic Document so we will list the criteria we believe important in a successful preserve.
Our wild horse sanctuary would include:
- Purchased by using private dollars rather than taxpayer money
- The land would be placed in a foundation
- Any stipend provided by the federal government would go through the foundation and be returned in the form of improvements or operations of the sanctuary in its entirety.
- The sanctuary would be located in Nevada or another Western state where the wild horses would roam on ranges in their current natural habitat; not on grasslands in the Midwest. They will do better in the west and the visiting public will have a better experience.
- Unlike all current long term holding facilities, the sanctuary would be open to the general public and include a full range of amenities.
- One of the amenities included in the Pickens Foundation proposal would be a youth science learning center. This would provide opportunities for youth of all ages to attend day or extended time camps/seminars to learn the history of the West and that of the wild horses.
Under Objective 2 the document talks about stabilizing long-term contracts. The BLM needs to understand that long-term holding may not always be a legally accepted means of holding horses. It is also a process by which we have placed several millions of dollars in the hands of private contractors rather than have those monies being returned to the resource or the horses.
Objective 3 seeks to use taxpayer dollars to purchase land to create “preserves.” In the current financial climate, it is going to be very difficult to fund nearly 100 million dollars to purchase non-federal lands and this should be on the very bottom of the list of options to be only pursued after leveraging private dollars where possible and using existing federal lands when they are available and it is feasible.
Objective 4 provides the framework to pursue discussions to locate preserves or sanctuaries on private lands. Missing from this section is language that would allow the BLM to enter into discussions with private partners to use a combination of private and public lands and we would strongly encourage such language to be added.
Objectives 5 and 6 talk about using other agencies’ federal lands or USDA conservation programs. We would only note that former experiences with the Forest Service and US Fish and Wildlife suggest they would not be interested.
Objective 7 suggests preserves on HAs or HMAs that currently have no horses on them. We have argued for some time now that BLM needs to look at the 21 million plus acres that have been taken away from wild horse use as a means to bring horses back and expand Appropriate Management Levels.
Objective 8 provides the framework for discussions of collaborative partnerships. We think this should be the primary focus for the BLM. For too long we have spent an excessive amount of money caring for horses in circumstances that were not cost-effective or that beneficial for the horses.
Objective 8, item 3, calls for at least one preserve that would be available to the public to mange and communicate and share the animals with the local community and tourists. That description fits the Pickens Foundation Plan model perfectly and we strongly suggest pursuing that option will allow an emerging partnership that will save the taxpayer money, provide a natural experience for the public and the wild horses and be a huge public relations win for the BLM
5.3. Treasured Herds (From BLM.gov)
The Pryor Mountain, Little Bookcliffs and Kiger Mountain wild horses are just a few of the herds that already hold a special place in our hearts. By highlighting treasured herds with special designations, the BLM envisions opportunities for ecotourism and partnerships and volunteers dedicated to protecting and managing all of the wild horses and burros that call these areas home.
The Marietta Burro Range near Hawthorne, Nevada is the nation’s first burro range. It was designated in 1991.
5.3 Treasured Herds.
Saving America’s Mustangs supports portions of the objectives included in this section but has some concerns about inadvertent and unintended consequences.
Designating treasured herds may serve to highlight certain herds that are well known or have been part of a national media story and therefore singled out for special attention. While we encourage the promotion of the American wild horse across the board, directly resources or establishing favored status for certain herds should in no way lessen the importance of the thousands of horses that are out of the public eye. We believe that all the wild horses are equal in their significance in the role they have played in our history and should be seen as treated as such.
By promoting certain herds, the overall benefits outweigh any special treatment and resources allocated and do not come out of funds that would otherwise be intended for overall management of ALL the horses; we agree with the concept of establishing “treasured herds.”
We are especially encouraged by the language that encourages participation by Tribes to bring “treasured herds” to their reservations, providing that funding is made available to assist them with marketing these herds and providing economic opportunities for the Tribes in their local communities.
5.4. Place Excess Animals into Private Care (From BLM.gov)
More excess wild horses are in need of a good home than ever before — but changing demographics and a number of other factors have made many Americans less willing to accept the challenge of taming and caring for a wild horse. Despite these barriers, the BLM remains dedicated to finding as many good homes for the wild horses and burros that must be removed from the range as we possibly can. To do that, expanding the use of the tools which have been successful and adding a wider range of tools to keep pace with a rapidly changing adoption market will be needed. Through the successful placement of excess horses or burros into private care, the number of animals which must be humanely cared for in short-term corrals or long-term pastures will decrease and the costs for their care will be reduced.
Prison training programs and partnerships with organizations like the Mustang Heritage Foundation and the National Wild Horse Association demonstrate there is a demand for horses with some training. Expanding these types of partnerships is one way the BLM can offer more trained animals for adoption.
5.4 Place Excess Animals into Private Care
Saving America’s Mustangs feels that as long as there are excess horses, adoptions will be necessary and should be carried out as efficiently as possible, expanding on some of the more dynamic approaches that have been developed in recent years.
Under Objective 1, we would agree that the internet provides unlimited potential. Using wild horses in public service should be something we look at and try to expand through whatever means we can, including new legislative authority if necessary.
Under Objective 2, we believe that gentling and training are absolutely essential to a successful adoption program.
5.5. Communications (From BLM.gov)
American society has undergone substantial changes in the last 100 years. Instant messaging, Twitter, YouTube, cable news networks — social media and the World Wide Web are here to stay. The days of typewriters and carbon paper (or pen and ink) have come and gone. With these changes has come the need for the BLM’s communications capability to grow and expand, change and adapt.
Communications
Saving America’s Mustangs in especially encouraged by the language included in this section and eager to assist in helping to develop some of the goals and objectives contained herein.
We must begin, however, by pointing out that our communication with the BLM and officials at the Department of the Interior has been somewhat disappointing. Over the past two years, we have engaged in countless trips and meetings with officials from both DOI and the BLM and to date have had little success in getting real answers to the plans we have submitted in writing and presented orally. We understand that proposals don’t command immediate consensus or agreement, but we feel that a more forthright approach would lead to better communication and possible solutions that come from thinking “outside the box.” That said, we have not hesitated to continue to engage in activities that we think promote the wild horse and educates the public and policymakers about our wild horses.
In objective 2, item 1, you discuss the need to “engage willing partners through various forums and utilize a wide range of media tools/venue to tell the story of America’s wild horses and burros.”
In 2009 Saving America’s Mustangs began to purchase wild horses that had gone through the Xtreme Mustang Makeover competitions with the intent to take them to various venues to educate the American public about the wild horses. Last year, many of those horses performed at half-time ceremonies of major football games, including the Hawaii Bowl in Honolulu on Christmas Eve, one of the most watched events of the closing of the football season each year. Recently, Boone and I hosted a dinner at the National Museum for American Indians at the Mall in D.C. That event was attended by over 400 people, including 70 Members of Congress. We have a total of 7 wild horses now and all of them were there for the public to see for over two hours and for all the attendees at the dinner party to interact with before the dinner.
In 2010 these mustangs will participate in the opening ceremonies of the World Equestrian Cup in Lexington, Kentucky. Countless college football games, a number of professional games and other sporting events, as well as major parades, clinics for children, and other events that we deem appropriate to promote the American wild horse will be planned.
Throughout these events we have not solicited support from the BLM, nor have we heard from them about actively participating in these activities. For the record, we believe that these kind of promotional activities fit very well under Objective 2, Item 1 and Objective 3, Action.
5.6. Animal Welfare (From BLM.gov)
For nearly 40 years, the BLM has protected the health and welfare of wild horses and burros to ensure their humane treatment under the federal legislation that established the Wild Horse and Burro Program. Balancing herd numbers with the land’s capacity, handling procedures, facilities, and post-adoption compliance checks were all designed toward this end. The BLM uses the best, most humane methods for capturing and handling wild horses and burros. These methods are based on decades of experience and consultation with animal behavior and veterinary experts. The BLM will continue to look for improvements in safety, efficiency and humane treatment.
Animal Welfare
Saving America’s Mustangs would only comment under the animal welfare section that the methods involved in gathering wild horses have been called into question by many wild horse advocate groups and animal rights organizations. We would agree that it is an area that the BLM needs to focus heavily on to ensure that there are adequate controls in place to provide ample safety and protections for the horses and transparency so that the public can be fully involved and aware of what is taking place with gathers before, during, and after they are conducted.
5.7. Science and Research (From BLM.gov)
The BLM’s 2003 Strategic Research Plan identifies research priorities for the Wild Horse and Burro Program. Included are: health and handling, fertility control, population estimation and modeling, genetic conservation, habitat assessment and setting population goals. The components of fertility control and population estimation have been implemented and research is being conducted. Genetic diversity of wild horse and burro herds is also being evaluated. Other research programs are being implemented as needed.
How many horses are there? Counting horses from a moving aircraft several hundred feet above the ground isn’t easy. Add tree cover, rugged terrain, and poor weather, and the job becomes even more difficult. To address this challenge, the BLM is working with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to research and implement population estimation techniques based on the best available science
- Science and Research
Saving America’s Mustangs has called into question the methodology relied on by the BLM in conducting a census of the wild horse herds and we remain convinced that there are fewer wild horses remaining on the range than suggested by BLM’s official count. We hope that new techniques that may be available and subject to public review might be enacted to count wild horses.
We have also raised issues about genetic diversity and the ability of wild horse herds to withstand the long-term adverse effects of random sampling that lack the appropriate science to make determinations about genetic diversity among horses left on the range. Moreover, the dwindling number of horses, in a raw numerical sense, causes us to wonder if the genetics are not being dramatically altered in the absence of sound science.
We also question the science that has gone into making determinations about the quality and quantity of forage on HMAs where horses are being removed. We were advised at the Calico roundup that the majority of wild horses being brought in were in good condition and the range not suffering from a lack of forage at that time, but that the BLM was looking six months down the road at the possibilities that the range may have significantly deteriorated by then. More than adequate rainfall, if it occurred, would render range conditions in better or excellent conditions. We have been advised by cattlemen in Northern Nevada that the range has never been in better condition. Too many speculative observations lead to serious questions about the validity of some conclusions being relied on to make determinations about the need to gather horses. We hope that this review will lead in the direction of real science being applied that can stand up to outside scrutiny to the issue of gathering our wild horses.
Under Objective 2, we strongly support the idea of letting the NAS review earlier reports and offer recommendations about the best science for wild horse and burro management.
Objective 3 refers to the science being used to conduct range land health. We would simply offer again that the current approach to making determinations about range land health may not be steeped in the best available science and that currently, at least to our knowledge, there is no outside scientific review being performed to verify the results of BLM’s in house assessments.
